Cops assure Sadc observers of peaceful election

Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said the force was fully prepared and had the capacity to police the elections.
“As an organisation, we have rich experience in ensuring that events of this importance and magnitude are conducted in a peaceful and tranquil environment,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

“We have put in place an array of measures to ensure that the elections become a resounding success.”
Some of the measures include setting up of a national command centre, training police officers, deployments and interacting with election observers.
Snr Asst Comm Charamba said the force’s national command centre was set up to co-ordinate the policing of the constitutional referendum conducted in March this year as well as the harmonised elections and was headed by Snr Asst Comm Lee Muchemwa.

The force, she said, had attached Zimbabwe Election Commission officers to enable interaction and co-ordination on a daily basis.
“ZRP has over the years consistently trained police officers on how to manage public order and disorder situations.

“This year, police officers were also trained in public order management in preparation for the Constitutional Referendum, held in March and the forthcoming harmonised elections.

“Police officers have also been enlightened on their duties and responsibilities during the elections,” she said.
On deployment, she said, all the logistical arrangements were already in place.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba said the force was committed to enhancing interface with election observers and had so far briefed the African Union long-term observers, the Sadc election observer mission, the Sadc Parliamentary Forum observers and the heads of the Christian denominations.